cliff marker. >> if the administration, are they prepared to go over the fiscal cliff? >> absolutely. no prospect or agreement that doesn't involve those rates going on on the top 2%. remember, only 2%. >> reporter: that danger? not enough to keep congress in session. it's all right quit for the week. most lawmakers assume correctly there are bit players until there's a deal. that looks more complicated until mr. obama demanded republicans raise the debt ceiling this month without any spending cut strings attached. >> if congress in any way suggests they're going to tie negotiations to debt ceiling votes, and take us to the brink of default once again as part of a budget negotiation, i will not play that game. because we've got to break that habit before it starts. >> reporter: the president sees the fiscal cliff showdown as an opportunity to break that linkage for good. republicans say they will not increase the debt ceiling now $16 trillion and due to expire in february without more deficit reduction. >> history shows the only major deficit cutting deals we ever do ar